Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines!
The 2020 Christian writers conference season is at the starting line. And this year, it presents writers with six distinct and geographically diverse opportunities to meet me! And pitch to me in person. What could be better? I ask you (and I’m still waiting for an appropriately enthusiastic response. Still waiting).
But seriously, folks, there’s so much to know about writing for publication—not just how to write but also information about submitting your work; mistakes to avoid; working with agents, editors, and publishers (and meeting them!); and more—that those who’ve never attended a writers conference just can’t imagine. The experience will blow your mind and maybe set you on a course toward publication, which is why it is one of the most frequent pieces of advice I give to developing writers.
And even if you’ve already attended a writers conference sometime, somewhere, it’s my suggestion that you consider not a one-and-done strategy but regular frequenting of writers conferences as a part of your plan for writing and publishing development and success.
So here are six opportunities to cross paths with me (in person, no less!) in 2020:
February 21-23, 2020 Asheville Christian Writers’ Conference (Asheville, NC)
February 28-29, 2020 West Coast Christian Writers Conference (Livermore, CA)
March 25-28, 2020 Blue Lake Christian Writers’ Retreat (Andalusia, AL)
June 18-20, 2020 Kentucky Christian Writers’ Conference (Elizabethtown, KY)
June 24-28, 2020 St. Davids Christian Writers’ Conference (Grove City, PA)
October 20-25, 2020 Florida Christian Writers’ Conference (Leesburg, FL)
Those are all fine conferences (and this blog post I wrote last year offers a little more descriptive detail on some of them). They’re not the only ones, of course, as others I regularly recommend include Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers’ Conference, Mt. Hermon Christian Writers’ Conference, Write-to-Publish Conference, Colorado Christian Writers’ Conference, and others. (A much more comprehensive listing is available in The Christian Writers Market Guide.)
Hope to see you soon!
This list is helpful, Bob. For those of us new to publishing, which writer’s conferences stand out in Texas?
I enjoyed meeting you in KC a couple of years ago. So, I’d say the proper response to this news is a standing ovation followed by a rush to register at the nearest conference. (Do I win anything for the right answer?)
Writing conferences launched my writing life. I have always learned more than I can retain and met people who have enriched my life.
I’ll see you at three of those, Bob!
(Hopefully, I’ll survive it …) LOL
Oh, Eva Diva. I can’t wait.
I, for one, would love to meet you, Bob.
And, oh, yes, I’m Catholic, as you will see in the sonnet below.
Meeting you would be a trip
I think we’d have some fun,
but afore we get out and let rip,
did you bring a gun?
We can do a pub crawl
three-up on my Hog;
but don’t you roll your eyes, y’all
the apehangers seat a Heeler dog.
At the biker bar we’ll meet some priests
and a nun who’s easily able
to handle winsome self among the beasts,
and drink them all beneath the table.
We’ll show you a good time such
that you won’t remember much.
Backatcha, Andrew. I have no doubt we will meet, in time (or out of time).
I look forward to that, Bob.
You’ve been a ray of Godly wisdom and kindness in a world gone madly harsh for me, and I am humbled and honoured to consider you a friend.
And I LOVE the heading picture…the expression is that of my new service-dog-in-training, Belle.
You forgot one – Northwestern Christian Writer’s conference in Minneapolis in July. We’re super excited that you’ll be here.
Beth, this post is by me (Bob Hostetler), who won’t be at Northwestern Christian Writer’s conference. But Steve Laube will be. 🙂
Steve,
I was referred to you by Karen Kingsbury’s mother…I can make the Writer’s Retreat in Andalusia, AL on Saturday, March 28th.
Will you be there on that day?
Ive just recently emailed you a query with attachment of my work and would love to meet you in Andalusia, if possible..
Thank you!
Doug, this post is by me (Bob Hostetler), not Steve. I’m much nicer than him. And I will be at Blue Lake, not Steve. And I’m much nicer than him.
I look forward to meeting you at the Kentucky Christian Writers Conference in June.
Disappointed that you will not attend the Taylor University Professional Writers Conference, Upland, IN. Our visit there two years ago gave me a good boost with valuable information for my husband’s book on pastoral prayers. I’ll be at the Taylor conference this year, for a won a 1/2 off prize for registration. Your humor during panel discussion will also be missed.
Ann, I am booked for the Taylor Conference in 2021, if I live so long.
Glad to see you’ll be at the Taylor U. conference next year. You gave me such helpful advice a couple years ago that I would enjoy picking your brain again.
Finally a chance to meet Bob in real life.